Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to a lack of recent treatment records and an outdated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as sleep apnea. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination to address the etiology of any current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to that extent, but the issue remains remanded as further medical examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral degenerative disease, and bilateral pes planus. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted as of April 26, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.,An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was also denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion to less than 135 degrees.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including right wrist, left ankle, tonsillar hypertrophy, lung disorder (claimed as silicosis), and sleep apnea. The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with anxiety disorder was granted a 50 percent rating effective April 30, 2009.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support reopening these claims. The Veteran’s current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD lumbosacral spine and TDIU were denied as the current evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected nasal disability. The VA examiner found the current medical evidence insufficient and recommended a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, finding that the conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's son, A.C., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to diagnosed conditions including seizure disorder, sleep apnea, ADHD, and major depressive disorder. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a hiatal hernia, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, COPD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his in-service snoring or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's erectile dysfunction, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 5, 2010, meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, diagnosed as sleep apnea. The evidence submitted since the November 2008 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for sleep apnea is granted.